Patent GB-746446-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to typographical composing machines
IPC: B41B7/00
Filed: 1954-06-02
Abstract: 746,446. Type-bar-making machines. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE CO. June 2, 1954 [June 24, 1953], No. 16287/54. Class 100 (3). Driving-mechanism.-A typographical composing-machine adapted for automatic operation comprises means for reading a control tape containing code signals, means for translating the code signals into machine control operations, and a timing generator for sending forth a series of electrical impulses during each cycle thereof to control the timed sequence of machine operations. The machine is not provided with keyboard mechanism, and the matrix escapements are actuated by solenoids M0, Fig. 1. Contact is made selectively from a battery B4 to one of a series of output terminals 3 to operate the desired machine function, and some of the terminals are each associated with two such functions through reversed selenium rectifiers M3, M4, which function is operated being decided by the polarity of the battery B4. The circuits to the terminals 3 are selected by six relays C1-C6 controlling a plurality of contacts of a transfer tree. The transfer tree comprises two sections Ca, Cb, which are arranged in opposite directions with respect to the relays so as to stagger the load on the latter, the relay C1 controlling which section is used. An impulse from the timing generator D, Fig. 2; through a wire 5 energizes a rotary solenoid A7 to allow selected ones of six sensing fingers A5 to rise according to the perforations in the tape 1, and in rising, any one or more of such fingers closes switches A8 to energize the relays C1-C6, which close contacts C7 to establish holding circuits for themselves from a voltage source B2 through a switch All. The fingers also close switches A9 to energize a solenoid A4. When the fingers descend, deenergization of the solenoid A4 causes the tape to advance. Owing to the holding circuits, when the fingers ascend, the previous setting of the relays is still in effect, but the solenoid A7  thereafter opens the switch A11 to erase the previous setting, and closes it again to retain the new setting before the switches A8 are opened. During each cycle, an impulse from the generator is passed through a wire 30 and a normally closed contact 26 of a relay K1 to a relay D1 to close a contact D2 in the work circuits to the terminals 3, so as to control the length of time the solenoids M0 (for example) are energized. An impulse is also sent through a wire 23 to energize the relay K1. If two identical signals are sensed, a series of switches 28, 29 remain in unaltered condition, and a holding circuit for the relay K1 is established from a voltage source B8 through contacts 34, 24, for the relay K1. Normally, at least one switch 28 or 29 is opened by a change of setting so as to break the holding circuit. If the holding circuit is not broken, the relay K1 by closing contact 22, connects a voltage source B7 to the solenoid A4 and prevents the feed of the tape, while the opening of contact 26 and closing of contact 25 diverts the work impulse from the relay D1 to a relay K2, a holding circuit for which is established through contacts 33, 31 from a voltage source B9. The closing of contact 32 energizes a relay K3 to open contacts 33, 34 and de-energize the relays K1, K2, so that the next work impulse passes to the relay D1. A particular " shift '' setting of the relays C1-C6 energizes a relay G1 through contacts 6-11 to reverse the polarity of the battery B4 by connecting the positive terminal to ground 15 and the negative terminal to the contact D2, a holding circuit being established through contacts 14, 16 which is only broken when the " unshift " relay G2 is energized by a circuit from the transfer tree. Some of the terminals 3 are associated with only one function, regardless of polarity, for example, relays H1, H2, H3 are energized for left-hand quadding, right-hand quadding, and centring, relay J1 for adding a thin space matrix, and relay E5 for raising the elevator. When an " elevator raise " signal is sensed, relay E5 is energized, and a holding circuit therefor is established from the battery B4 through a wire 80, a switch D3 in the generator, and contact 36. Closing of contact 37 establishes a circuit from a voltage source B10 through contact 40 to a solenoid E3 to raise the elevator E. Through contact 38 and wire 5, circuit is made from a voltage source B11  to the solenoid A7 to stop the tape feed. Contact 39 in wire 23 is also opened to prevent relay K1 being energized and the identical signal mechanism -from operating. The elevator in rising at once closes a switch E7 to establish a holding circuit for relay E5. When the elevator reaches its upper position, it closes a switch E8 to energize a relay E6, for which a circuit is established through the switch E7 and contact 45, while contact 40 is opened to deenergize the solenoid E3. When the elevator descends, the switch E8 is at once opened, relays E5 and E6 being maintained energized by circuits through switches E7 and D3 in parallel. When the elevator reaches its lower position, it opens the switch E7, and at the end of the generator cycle, the switch D3 opens and the relays E5, E6 are de-energized. For shifting the upper assembler rail L so as to control in which of two vertical positions a double-character matrix will be assembled, solenoids L1, L2 are provided to move the rail L in opposite directions. The solenoids L1, L2 are controlled by relays L5, L4, which are energized from terminals 3 of the transfer tree. When the relay L4 is energized, contact 50 provides a holding circuit therefor through normally closed switches 56, 57. The solenoid L2 is energized through contact 51. A voltage source B13 is connected through contact 52 and wire 5 to the solenoid A7 to stop the tape feed, while the opening of contact 43 prevents energization of the relay Kl. When the relay L5 is energized, contacts 53, 54, 55, 44 act in the same way as the contacts 50, 51, 52, 43, the solenoid L1 being energized. Throughout the shifting operation, the switches 56, 57 are closed, but when the rail L reaches an extreme position, one of the switches 56 or 57 is opened to break the holding circuit. Specification 719,783 is referred to.